The
Greek island of Corfu is a walker's paradise, and what better way to explore it
than walking on the Corfu Trail surrounded by forested hills, beautiful beaches
and mesmerising sea views? It is over 200km long in all and is rated as one of
the best long-distance walks in the world. We feature the whole trail in 13
nights or you can undertake either the southern or the northern sections as
separate holidays. The southern section explores sand dunes, tranquil valleys
and farming villages that time has left behind. You walk through olive groves,
past oak and chestnut trees, over rolling hills and along ancient mule paths
known as kalderimi. You are never far from the coast with its dramatic cliffs
and long beaches. Corfu has become known for its resort development, but
mercifully this is confined to small areas and will be encountered only as an
occasional view in the distance.

The Walking

The
walk is always on good paths or along beaches. You will walk along cliff edges,
on wide paths, on old donkey trails called kalderimis, along quiet country
lanes and across fields. It is generally well-marked but our walk notes are
essential in some places. This southern section is not demanding; it is 65
miles in 6 walking days and its maximum ascent in one day is 750m. For one
overnight stay, slightly off the trail, we provide a short transfer to return
you to the trail, thereby avoiding a steep climb.

Baggage Transfer

Your
luggage is transported for you from hotel to hotel so you can travel with your
day rucksacks only. Some days you are taken to the start of a walk and/or
collected at the end. These transfers are included in the price.

The accommodation is all in small family run hotels, or in one case apartments. Each with its own character, some in villages while others are in small towns or small coastal resorts, one is even on the beach. Locally sourced breakfast is provided daily and also dinner on 6 nights normally in a taverna attached to the hotel, on one night dinner is not included as we feel you are better served by you choosing one of many local restaurants. All rooms have private bathroom, only a few have baths most are showers. NB we may change the hotels for your booking but we will tell you before we book.

Day 1:After your flight, we will transfer you toAsprokavos
in the south of the island for your first night. If your flight arrives late,
you may stay in Corfu Town (Kerkyra) and we will transfer you in the morning to
Asprokavos to start walking (a small supplement is payable).

Day 2:Asprokavosto Santa Barbara.An easy walk today directly from the hotel. Passing ever-present olive trees,
head for the village of Lefkimmi with its canal-side restaurants for lunch.
Continue to the sea and then along the coast, partly along clifftops, before
descending to the beach for a short walk to your hotel, which is situated
almost on the beach. Overnight in Santa Barbara.
Ascent 290m, Descent 390m, Distance 12 miles, Time 5½ hours.

Day 3: Santa Barbara to
Paramonas. Follow the coastline northwards, initially walking along the beach
and sometimes through sand dunes. A lake en route is great for birdwatchers.
Also enjoy more beautiful sea views. Overnight in Paramonas.
Ascent 240m, Descent 205m, Distance 12 ½ miles, Time 4½ hours.

Day 4: Paramonas to Benitses. Now
you cross the island, walking through pretty Corfu villages where time seems to
have halted. Continue walking through shady olive groves and across heathland
before catching a glimpse of the east coast as you ascend to the top of a
ridge. Then descend to your hotel in Benitses. Tonight’s dinner is not
included, so choose from one of the many restaurants in the town.
Ascent 650m, Descent 750m, Distance 10 ½ miles, Time 5 ½ hours.

Day 5: Stavros to Pelekas. After
a brief sojourn on the east coast, traverse the island to the west. A short
transfer will take you to the top of the ridge at Stavros where you rejoin the
trail. You continue to climb to the summit of Corfu’s second highest mountain
(Agii Deka 576m), topped by an abandoned monastery. Then descend on a kalderimi
to the village of Agii Deka and onwards to Sinardes with its picturesque
architecture and folk museum. Enjoy glorious views of the west coast, and
overnight in Pelekas.
Ascent 595m, Descent 690m, Distance 11 ¼ miles, Time 7 hours.

Day 6: Pelekas to Liapades. Begin
with more stunning west-coast views and head northwards on an undulating route,
passing ancient villages clinging to the hillside. Then pass through pretty
Giannades and on to the ancient village of Liapades for the night.
Ascent 500m, Descent 700m, Distance 14 ¼ miles, Time 7 hours.

Day 7: Liapades to Agios Georgios.A climb to start the day with a breathtaking view as you look back to the
beautiful bay of Liapades. Pass through Krini, a clifftop village, before
descending on an ancient kalderimi to the sea while savouring one the best
views of the week. Once at sea level, walk along the coast to the small resort
of Agios Georgios and your hotel.
Ascent 380m, Descent 380m, Distance 8 ½ miles, Time 4 hours.

Day
8: You are transferred to the airport. If booked
on a later flight, you will have the opportunity to explore the ancient city of
Kerkyra (Corfu Town).

This
trek is only available during late April, May and June, and September to
October. The hotels are not open in the winter months and are not available to
us in July and August. Luckily the four months that are available are the best
time to go. Late June and early September can still be quite hot for walking.

We
include transfers from the only airport on Corfu to the first hotel and from
the last. Corfu has flights from all the main airports in the UK with a mixture
of charter and low-cost airlines. Some flights arrive very late and, if so, we
would recommend that the first night is taken in Corfu Town.